Application Guide

How to Apply for SIJS Habeas Project Attorney

at National Immigration Project

🏢 About National Immigration Project

The National Immigration Project is a unique national membership organization that combines litigation, education, and advocacy to combat systemic injustices in immigration and criminal systems. As a leader in the End SIJS Backlog Coalition, it centers the voices of impacted youth and movement lawyering, offering a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge habeas litigation and grassroots advocacy.

About This Role

This role involves litigating habeas petitions for detained SIJS youth, often on novel legal theories, while also training and mentoring a network of attorneys to expand representation. You'll serve on the coalition's leadership team, creating resources and partnering with youth leaders to end the SIJS backlog—making it a high-impact position that combines direct representation with systemic change.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing case updates from detained youth or coalition partners, then drafting a habeas petition for a client with a novel legal issue. Afternoon could involve leading a virtual training session for pro bono attorneys, followed by a strategy call with the End SIJS Backlog Coalition to plan advocacy around a pending policy change.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who National Immigration Project Is Looking For

  • A seasoned federal litigator with 4-8 years of experience, specifically in habeas corpus cases involving detained immigrants, preferably with SIJS youth.
  • Skilled in movement lawyering—able to collaborate with community organizations and youth leaders, not just practice traditional law.
  • Excellent legal writer and researcher, comfortable drafting complex habeas petitions and developing training materials for other attorneys.
  • Admitted to at least one state bar and one federal court, with the ability to appear in multiple jurisdictions.

📝 Tips for Applying to National Immigration Project

1

Highlight specific habeas cases you've litigated, especially those involving detained youth or novel legal theories—use case names or citations.

2

Show your experience training or mentoring other attorneys; include examples of workshops, CLEs, or resource guides you've created.

3

Emphasize any work with SIJS youth or familiarity with the End SIJS Backlog Coalition's goals—mention the coalition by name.

4

Tailor your resume to federal litigation skills: motions practice, evidentiary hearings, appeals, and pro bono or impact litigation.

5

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your personal or professional commitment to immigrant rights and movement lawyering, not just technical skills.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with detained immigrants in habeas litigation, including specific outcomes or challenges overcome.', 'Your ability to train and empower other attorneys—describe a time you built capacity in a legal network.', "Your alignment with the coalition's mission to end the SIJS backlog and center youth leadership.", 'Your federal bar admissions and willingness to litigate in multiple districts, possibly with remote appearances.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read the National Immigration Project's recent reports or amicus briefs on SIJS and habeas—understand their legal arguments and tone.
  • → Review the End SIJS Backlog Coalition's website and any public statements to grasp their current campaigns and youth leadership structure.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key SIJS habeas cases in federal courts, especially those involving prolonged detention or novel issues.
  • → Look into the project's history of movement lawyering and how they integrate community organizing with litigation.
Visit National Immigration Project's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a complex habeas petition you filed—what was the novel legal theory and how did you argue it?
2 How do you balance direct representation with systemic advocacy? Give an example of movement lawyering in your work.
3 How would you train a new attorney on habeas basics? What would your training plan include?
4 Describe a time you worked with impacted community members or youth leaders—how did you ensure their voices shaped your litigation?
5 What strategies would you propose to reduce the SIJS backlog beyond litigation? How would you engage coalition partners?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on your litigation skills without showing commitment to mentorship and coalition-building—this role is as much about training others as winning cases.
  • Avoid generic immigration experience—highlight SIJS and habeas specifically, not just general removal defense.
  • Don't neglect to mention your federal bar admissions and willingness to travel or appear remotely in various courts.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to National Immigration Project!

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